Pat Pouder

Pat Pouder began his earthly life on April 1, 1926, in Kansas City, Missouri, born to Harry and Claire Pouder. At the age of nine, Pat began working and learning life’s early lessons on the Redding Farm in Oklahoma City.

Pat attended Capitol Hill High School. While in high school, he earned the title of Golden Gloves Boxer. In 1943, at the age of 17, he joined the United States Air Force. After completing basic training, he served as a B-29 gunner during World War II in Tinian, Japan. Upon returning home, he completed his high school education.

In 1947, Pat began his lifelong career with the Santa Fe Railroad. Starting as a switchman on the steam engines, he later promoted to yardmaster and served faithfully until his retirement in 1987.

On January 17, 1949, Pat entered into covenant marriage with Natalie Flanagan. Their loving and devoted union was blessed with four children: Jody, Janice, Jacqui, and Mitch. For 47 years, Pat and Natalie lived out God’s design of oneness in marriage and family.

Throughout his life, Pat used his boxing experience to mentor aspiring fighters. As a Golden Gloves Boxing Coach, he trained well-known fighter Alex Saucedo. Pat was also a coach for the 1984 Summer World Olympics United States Boxing Team, held in Los Angeles. Shortly thereafter, Pat and the boxing team traveled to Communist Poland to compete. To ensure their safety and security, they stayed at the U.S. Embassy under guarded protection during the competition. The boxing team also competed in Ireland. Pat was invited to be a coach at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Pat’s years in boxing brought him personal encounters with legends such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and many other champions. He continued his passion by serving as a coach and partner at the Southside Boxing Club in Oklahoma City. He used the sport as a ministry tool, reaching at risk youth and encouraging them to leave dangerous environments and find a positive path through boxing. Pat also coached Little League Baseball for three years, winning a championship in 1965.

Pat later built a woodworking shop in his backyard, where he created furniture pieces and, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, carved more than one thousand miniature wooden cars, wooden cross necklaces, and wooden popsicle sticks fashioned into nail files—each inscribed with the message “Jesus Loves You.” These gifts became a ministry, spreading the love and salvation of Jesus Christ to countless people. Pat’s generous, kindhearted nature radiated through every carving he shared.

Pat and Natalie shared artistic talents and were members of the South Oklahoma City Art Association. They created beautiful paintings displayed at the annual Downtown Festival of the Arts and the Oklahoma City Community College Art Show. During their road trips, they often left miniature wooden cars in restaurants with a $20 bill inside—small blessings for strangers.

Pat volunteered teaching art at the J.D. McCarty Center in Norman, where he designed and built handmade steel easels to attach onto wheelchairs. He also taught art to physically impaired students, including one student whom he taught to paint by holding the paintbrush with their teeth. Additionally, Pat was a talented firearm engraver, carefully designing and engraving more than sixty pistols, rifles, and knife blades.

In 1985, Pat dedicated his life to the Lord while attending Faith Tabernacle Assemblies of God Church in Oklahoma City. His great sense of humor, zest for life, and unique wit made him beloved by all who knew him.

After Natalie transitioned to her heavenly home, Pat was divinely led to reconnect with his high school sweetheart, Jody Lochmiller. Pat was blessed once again with an affectionate covenant marriage to Jody, for over twenty-one years. During their years together, they enjoyed sharing two residences and two churches, one in Norman, Oklahoma, and one in Richardson, Texas. During this time, Pat began a Bible study for prison guards in Richardson, faithfully leading many guards to the Lord.

Pat’s final audible words, spoken tenderly to his devoted granddaughter Keshana, were “Well, good night!” On Thursday afternoon, March 5th, Pat entered into his well earned heavenly reward to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Claire Pouder; his first wife, Natalie; his second wife, Jody; his daughter, Janice Richardson; and his brother, Harry Pouder Jr.

Blessed to cherish his memory are his daughter, Jody Lesch (husband, Hank); daughter, Jacqui Countess; son, Mitch Pouder (wife, Carol); ten grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; fourteen great great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; many friends; and the countless individuals whose lives were shaped by Pat’s anointed sports training, uplifting encouragement, godly guidance, and unwavering love.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of Trinity Hospice and Sommerset Assisted Living for their devoted and professional care of our beloved Pat.

In memory of Pat Pouder, may we all strive to fulfill his lifelong mission—to share the love and salvation of Jesus Christ with everyone we encounter.